Nicholas C. Kelly

1953 - 2017

SCHUYLER LAKE - Nicholas Charles Kelly, 64, died Monday afternoon, July 31, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

Nick was born January 30, 1953, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, first born and only son of Charles W. and Dorothy P. (Oblak) Kelly.

Nick grew up on the family farm where he worked alongside his father and grandfather, "J.W.". He graduated from Richfield Springs Central School, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. Following graduation he worked with his Dad drilling wells and cutting logs. For 17 years he was employed as a lineman by the Otsego Electric Cooperative (R.E.A.) in Hartwick. In the fall of 2000 a disability led to Nick's early retirement.

On August 11, 1973, Nick married Patricia Ann Brophy in a ceremony at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown.

In addition to his wife of 43 years, Nick is survived by their sons, Sean Kelly of Nocona, Texas, Ryan Kelly and his wife, Jacelyn of Schuyler Lake, Patrick Kelly and his wife, Aisling, of Newton, New Hampshire and Lawrence "Guy" Johnson of Schuyler Lake, considered by all to be Nick's fourth son. Nick is also survived by his mother, Dorothy P. Kelly; seven grandchildren, Joseph and his wife, Alley, Hailey, Charlie, Mylee, Bryson, Grace and Kate; two great grandchildren, Nicholas Cyrus and Aubrey Elizabeth; three sisters, Jacqueline Young and husband, Fred of Burlington Flats, Karenlee Seamon of Richfield Springs, and Judy Kelly and husband Mike Savoy of Rochester; three brothers-in-laws, Michael D. Brophy of Glenside, Pennsylvania, James M. Brophy and wife, Jacqueline of Fly Creek, and Dennis J. Brophy and wife, Erin of Germantown, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

Nick was predeceased by his father, Charles W. Kelly, who died November 1, 1996.

Nick was a lifelong outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, most recently on trips to Ohio with his boys, and fishing - his last fishing buddy was grandson Charlie. In the Fall, Nick enjoyed working on a Winter's supply of firewood. His Dad always said, "Firewood warms you twice, once when you cut it, and once when you burn it."

In recent years Nick and Pat enjoyed working with an English Setter rescue. Four of their many fosters became permanent members of the family, bringing the total number of family dogs to six. Nick's love of his dogs was matched only by their devotion to him.

Friends and family were the centerpiece of Nick's life. During his illness, Nick was deeply touched by the visits, phone calls and prayers from friends and neighbors whose lives he had touched over the years. The family will always be grateful for the unselfish gift of companionship given by Bill Kelly, Craig and Curt Wightman, Dennis Bresee, as well as the caring support provided by Catskill Area Hospice. 

The Kelly family will receive friends at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul R. Messner, S.T.S, pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary officiating.

Burial will be private. Nick will be laid to rest beside his father in the family cemetery, next to the apple orchard.

Nick loved few things more than preparing food for others to enjoy. All were welcome, and nobody left Nick's kitchen hungry! To honor this, the family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of the local food banks: the Richfield Springs Food Pantry, 22 Church Street, Richfield Springs, NY 13439, or the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. If you prefer, donations to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 would honor Nick's desire to help homeless animals.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.